What’s the best way to keep a writer happy?

Image by Jessica Lewis of Unsplash

Last month I did a quick update on how my writing life and competition submissions were going in 2018. One yes and one no, and still a few more in the pot to keep me hoping.

The Date With An Agent is in a few weeks so I’m looking forward to that, and I have finally booked my place at the RNA summer conference in Leeds. But what of the competitions?

A month is a long time when you are an aspiring writer and you keep checking EVERY. SINGLE. EMAIL. Just in case.

This month I was getting so disheartened waiting for news, yes this happens frequently, and I said again, if nothing good happens soon I’m going to give up. Of course I don’t really mean it, but you get the gist. Writers are a bit melodramatic.

And the thing about waiting for news is that it actually makes writing harder. Your brain can’t concentrate properly on what’s in front of you as the little voice of negativity inside your head goes ‘you’re not really any good. No one wants to read your work anyway’. It drains your creativity. And let me tell you, many an hour was wasted in this lack of confidence stage. And I can’t even mention the amount of cake and chocolate that got eaten! Just check out my Instagram feed for proof!

But moving on, Friday 11th was a day the shortlists come out for the Winchester Lit festival, and I was positive someone would love my first three pages. Someone surely would. Someone? Anyone?

But no. It was a no. I hadn’t made the shortlist.

I messaged a friend moaning as usual, I’m gonna give up! Then unbelievably, in the middle of the chat, another email landed in my inbox. From a certain publisher who shall rename nameless in case I jinx it.

I hardly dared open it as I was sure it was going to be another no.

Reader, it was good!

A request for a full manuscript from my dream publisher. Yay!!!

I swear there are book fairies living nearby.

Anyway, to conclude this post of ‘How to keep a writer happy?’ now and again, just send them some good news, they’ll be delighted. And cake. And if they are published please leave a review. Thank you.